Questions on DIY sump

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Linemanbrad

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 25, 2009
430
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Texas
Ok,

1. How much does an overflow cost on average to make??

2. What kind of pump should I use to return the water to my 55G??

3. How do the tanks keep from overflowing one another if the power goes out??

4. Is it ok to have a 20G tall sump for a 55G tank??

5. What kind of tubing should I use to go from the 55G to the 20G and vice versa??

6. The sump is NOT under the 55G but it is under my 20 Long which is about a foot to the left of my 55G

7. Would a picture help to explain what I am trying to do and give you an idea of what I am trying to accomplish and what materials I need to obtain?

I realise I have another thread but a mod said to post my questions on the forum so i did:D

I am logging off for tonight and will answer all questions first thing tomorrow morning
 
Man...
In the amount of time it took to write your questions, any search engine would have drowned you with all the answers.
 
Hey man, I'm no expert, but hope this helps a little:

1. I dunno, whatever Home Depot or Lowes sells the materials for. Less than 30 bucks, tops, if you go all out and buy some tools, too. That does not include the sheets of acrylic or glass to finish the sump, or the cost of the water pump for the sump. Just for the overflow box or for the PVC siphon.

2. It's best to have the tank circulate the water between 5 - 10 times per hour. So, ballpark, 55 times 5 to 10 . . . a pump that runs 275 to 550 gallons per hour. But then you have to add in extra gallons per hour, to compensate the loss of water pressure and loss of flow rate from tubing, because tubing and PVC will slow down the water from friction. I would buy a pump rated for 400 (min) to 700 (max) gallons per hour. Rio is a good brand. Eheim is a great brand, but more expensive than Rio.

3. It depends on your siphon or bulkhead placement. If you use a PVC siphon or overflow, what you do is set the height of where the water enters the siphon or overflow, to where you want the water level to stop draining from the tank. Once the water drains to that level, it stops, until the pump catches up and adds enough water to the tank to start draining out again. Basically, get a prototype built that you can fiddle with, then start experimenting with it, and you'll see where to adjust it. Then, if the power goes out, the pump does not pump, and the water leaving the tank has to stop, wherever you put the height of the siphon.

4. Yes, that would actually be overkill. 20G sumps are usually rated for tanks up to 120 gallons or so, it would be more than the minimum needed for a 55g. But you can never have too big of a sump. And a 20G tank is a nice size to work with. Go for it.

5. I would use 3/4 inch tubing from the pump to the tank. From the tank into the sump, 1.25 or 1.50 inch PVC.

6. No problem. Just fiddle with the tubing once you have everything set up, and you'll see that it doesn't matter.

7. Awesome idea. Pics are always a good call.
 
Linemanbrad;3280179; said:
Ok,

1. How much does an overflow cost on average to make??

2. What kind of pump should I use to return the water to my 55G??

3. How do the tanks keep from overflowing one another if the power goes out??

4. Is it ok to have a 20G tall sump for a 55G tank??

5. What kind of tubing should I use to go from the 55G to the 20G and vice versa??

6. The sump is NOT under the 55G but it is under my 20 Long which is about a foot to the left of my 55G

7. Would a picture help to explain what I am trying to do and give you an idea of what I am trying to accomplish and what materials I need to obtain?

I realise I have another thread but a mod said to post my questions on the forum so i did:D

I am logging off for tonight and will answer all questions first thing tomorrow morning
Click to expand...

1. Price would depend on the type of overflow you want. Probably less than $30.

2. Quiet one or Mag Drive, somewhere in the neighborhood of 300-500 gallons per hour.

3. You have to figure adequate space in the sump for power outages.

4. That would be fine.

5. PVC or hose. either will work.

6. Shouldn't make a difference.

7. Pictures always help, but research will give you plenty of information. First, please read the stickies in the DIY section. They contain a lot of valuable information. Then, search for "DIY Sump" or "DIY Wet/dry". There are plenty of examples and conversation.
 
and btw, I have looked up some information but these were the questions I still had. I will post pics when I get back from running
 
ok, im back and I am about to put some pics up
 
 
first pic is showing the 20G sump in its place under the 20 Long

second pic is the distance between the stands (showing where my plumbing will have to go)

third pic is the entire setup without the 20G sump in place
 
It should work how you have it setup, but it would be easier to have it under the tank. Either way, it will be fine.
 
Linemanbrad;3280965; said:
and btw, I have looked up some information but these were the questions I still had. I will post pics when I get back from running
Click to expand...

Keep in mind. I am not attempt to knock you in any way, but you are asking for a lot of information that is already available on the site.

DIY Overflows explained:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219465
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101156

Sizing a pump to your tank:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47105

Pipe sizing and flow rates:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205645

DIY Wet/Dry:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224989&highlight=diy+wet/dry
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182771&highlight=diy+wet/dry
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232069&highlight=diy+sump
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146900&highlight=indy+diy
 
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